Legislation Details
- Full Title: Cabinet Resolution approving the Code of Ethics for the Legal Profession and Legal Consultation Profession
- Law Type: Cabinet Resolution
- Law Number: [no number] of 2025
- Issued Date: 10 Feb 2025
- Effective Date: 15 Mar 2025
- Official Gazette: No. 793
- Sector: Labour, Residency and Professions
- Status: Active
- Number of Articles: 42
- Chapters/Parts: 0
- Amendments: 0
Summary
This Cabinet Resolution approves the Code of Ethics for the Legal Profession and Legal Consultation Profession in the United Arab Emirates. The Code establishes core professional values, obligations, and ethical standards that lawyers, legal consultants, and legal researchers must adhere to when practicing their profession. It aims to consolidate the ethical principles governing the legal profession, strengthen statutory protections, and regulate the responsibilities of legal practitioners. The Code's provisions are binding on all registered lawyers and legal consultants, with administrative penalties applicable for non-compliance. (Cabinet Resolution approving the Code of Ethics for the Legal Profession and Legal Consultation Profession, 2025, Art. 1-2)
What is the scope and purpose of this law?
The Code of Ethics applies to all lawyers whose names are registered on the Roll of Practicing or Non-Practicing Lawyers, as well as legal consultants and researchers listed on the relevant registers with the Ministry of Justice. (Art. 3) The Code's objectives are to: (1) consolidate the core professional values for lawyers and legal consultants; (2) regulate and define their responsibilities; and (3) strengthen statutory protections for legal practitioners, clients, and other stakeholders. (Art. 2) (Cabinet Resolution approving the Code of Ethics for the Legal Profession and Legal Consultation Profession, 2025, Art. 2-3)
What are the key definitions under this law?
The Code provides the following key definitions:
- The State: The United Arab Emirates
- Ministry: Ministry of Justice
- Minister: Minister of Justice
- Decree-Law: Federal Decree-Law No. (34) of 2022 Regulating the Legal Profession and Legal Consultation Profession
- Lawyer: A natural person registered on the Roll of Practicing or Non-Practicing Lawyers with the Ministry
- Legal Consultant: A natural person registered on the Roll of Legal Consultants with the Ministry
- Firm: A law firm or legal consultation firm licensed in the UAE
- Profession: The legal profession or legal consultation profession
- Competent Department: The Ministry's Department in charge of Lawyers and Legal Consultants Affairs
- Lawyers and Legal Consultants Affairs Committee: The committee established under Article 79 of the Decree-Law
(Cabinet Resolution approving the Code of Ethics for the Legal Profession and Legal Consultation Profession, 2025, Art. 1)
What are the main obligations and requirements?
The Code imposes the following key obligations on lawyers, legal consultants, and legal researchers: 1. Adhere to core professional values such as honesty, integrity, transparency, and ethical conduct. (Art. 4) 2. Exercise full independence in performing professional duties, without external pressure or personal interests. (Art. 5) 3. Maintain integrity as a mandatory professional obligation. (Art. 6) 4. Comply with professional ethics, traditions, and conduct that upholds the dignity and prestige of the profession. (Art. 7) 5. Maintain strict confidentiality of client information and not disclose it without consent, except as required by law. (Art. 8) 6. Fully comply with all applicable laws, regulations, and decrees governing the legal profession. (Art. 9) 7. Prioritize and safeguard the interests of clients over their own interests or those of third parties. (Art. 10) 8. Avoid conflicts of interest when representing or advising multiple parties. (Art. 11) (Cabinet Resolution approving the Code of Ethics for the Legal Profession and Legal Consultation Profession, 2025, Art. 4-11)
What are the penalties for non-compliance?
The administrative penalties set forth in Article 86 of Federal Decree-Law No. (34) of 2022 shall apply to any lawyer or legal consultant who violates the provisions of this Code. (Art. 2(1)) The administrative penalties regulations issued under a Cabinet Resolution shall apply to any legal researcher who violates the Code. (Art. 2(2)) The specific penalties are not detailed in this Cabinet Resolution. (Cabinet Resolution approving the Code of Ethics for the Legal Profession and Legal Consultation Profession, 2025, Art. 2)
How does this law interact with other UAE legislation?
This Cabinet Resolution is issued pursuant to and in relation to the following legislation: - The Constitution of the UAE - Federal Law No. (1) of 1972 Concerning the Competencies of Ministries and the Powers of Ministers, as amended - Federal Decree-Law No. (34) of 2022 Regulating the Legal Profession and Legal Consultation Profession - Cabinet Resolution No. (8) of 2025 Concerning the Executive Regulations of Federal Decree-Law No. (34) of 2022 Regulating the Legal Profession and Legal Consultation Profession (Cabinet Resolution approving the Code of Ethics for the Legal Profession and Legal Consultation Profession, 2025, Preamble)
When did this law come into effect?
This Cabinet Resolution shall be published in the Official Gazette and shall enter into force as of the day following the date of its publication, which was 14 February 2025. (Art. 4) (Cabinet Resolution approving the Code of Ethics for the Legal Profession and Legal Consultation Profession, 2025, Art. 4)
Source Documents
This article analyses Cabinet Resolution approving the Code of Ethics for the Legal Profession and Legal Consultation Profession for legal research and educational purposes. For the purpose of interpretation and application, reference must be made to the original Arabic text. In case of conflict, the Arabic text prevails. This does not constitute legal advice.